Sewage Spill Closes Beach at Del Mar

A 200-foot stretch of beach in Del Mar was closed by county health officials after 25 to 30 gallons of raw sewage from a storm drain poured into the ocean at 8th Street, according to Pat Hoy, a hazardous materials management specialist.

The spill occurred when debris clogged a sewer main, forcing sewage out a manhole at 9th Street and Camino Del Mar. It took about 90 minutes to clean up the spill, which was hosed into the storm drain that overflowed near the ocean.

Hoy said the beach, which is popular among surfers, was to be posted as contaminated for 24 hours.